DJ Pauly D vs. Puppy Mills: "Adopt, Don't Shop!"

Listen up! I bet you didn't know that most puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills, which are large-scale breeding facilities where people value money more than they do the welfare of the dogs. The dogs in puppy mills don't get to play, don't get daily walks and don't get the love that animals deserve. Imagine man's best friend living in a cage only six inches longer than its body in each direction—for their entire lives! And that's completely legal. It's messed up.

If a pet store tells you they don’t get their puppies from puppy mills, don't believe them. It would be like me telling you I don't use hair gel. The ASPCA launched a new tool on its "No Pet Store Puppies" website showing that "USDA licensed" doesn't mean much. The current USDA standards are so weak that dogs in these breeding facilities are often mistreated and suffer from lack of vet care.

Check out the photos of breeders taken by the USDA to see where pet store puppies really come from (warning: some of the pics are graphic!). The online database has more than 10,000 photos of breeding facilities and link some of them to pet stores throughout the country that have sold puppies within the last year.

As an ASPCA ambassador, I encourage animal lovers, like myself, across the country to put an end to this cruel industry. Here's what you can do to help:

Take the pledge not to buy any items from stores or websites that sell puppies. That includes pet food, supplies, treats or toys.

If you're looking for a new puppy, don't buy a puppy from a pet store and instead make adoption your first option, or seek a responsible breeder if you choose not to adopt.

Sunday, July 21, is “No Pet Store Puppies” Day. Help us spread the word and share the news with your friends and family via Facebook and Twitter.

Join an ASPCA Twitter chat on July 23 at 2:00 P.M. (ET), where you’ll have a chance to ask their puppy mill expert everything you wanted to learn about puppy mills. Follow #ASPCAchat.

Help us put an end to puppy mills and protect man's best friend. Say no to pet store puppies—and adopt, don't shop! Yeah, Buddy!!!!